Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Brenden Dillon played 70 games for Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), going goal less but picking up 10 assists. The defender racked up 68 PIMs.

2009-10: In his third year with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), Dillon scored 2 goals, adding 12 assists. He increased his PIMs to 101.

2010-11: Dillon obliterated his previous career highs in goals (8, up from 2), assists (51, up from 12) and points (59, up from 14) during his overage season with the Seattle Thunderbirds. He did so in such an impressive fashion that he earned an entry-level contract from Dallas in March that saw him move to Texas of the AHL for the last ten games of the regular season and then six more games in the playoffs. Dillon didn’t look out of place and drew rave reviews from even veteran teammates.

2011-12: Dillon made his NHL debut, seeing 20 minutes of action in Dallas’ final game of the season against St. Louis. He provided both play-making ability and physicality for AHL affiliate Texas in his first pro season. Dillon was tied with Jordie Benn for most assists amongst Texas Stars defensemen (23) while finishing second on the stars with 97 penalty minutes. He also scored 6 goals and was minus-six and was one of three players to play in all 76 games for Texas. The Stars missed the AHL playoffs; finishing last in the West Division.

2012-13: Dillon was among the NHL’s top rookie defensemen skating for the Dallas Stars following the NHL lockout and played for Canada in the 2013 IIHF World Championship. He played in all 48 games and scored 3 goals with 5 assists and was +1 with 65 penalty minutes. Dillon was one of four Stars defensemen to average over 21 minutes of ice time per game. In eight games for Canada he scored 1 goal and was +3. Canada lost to gold medal-winning Sweden in the quarterfinals. Dillon played for the AHL’s Texas Stars during the lockout; scoring 3 goals with 11 assists and finishing -1 with 45 penalty minutes.

Talent Analysis

The definition of a late-bloomer as Dillon has grown nearly a foot since being passed over in the WHL Bantam Draft some years ago. Now he has major league size and knows how to use it. He’s a big, rangy blueliner with good mobility for his somewhat-recently acquired size. He exhibits good hockey sense and understands what’s going on at all times. Plays a physical brand of hockey and isn’t afraid to drop the mitts if the situation warrants. Strong, imposing. His puck movement is passable but he has a limited offensive ceiling.

Future

Dillon has been dealt by the Dallas Stars to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Jason Demers.

With the lockout-shortened season, most teams will reach the midway point of their 48 game season sometime over the next week. In terms of the race for the 2013 Calder Trophy, most of the front-runners from the season's opening month continued to shine.

Photo: Defenseman Brendon Dillon (right) is among the top rookie defensemen in the NHL this season. Dillon was signed by the Stars as an undrafted free agent in March 2011. (courtesy of Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Welcome to the February 2013 edition of On the Rush, a monthly column featuring prospects at various competition levels who are either exceeding expectations or falling a little behind. This edition features a number of defensemen who have asserted themselves recently, both offensively and in their own zone. We also check in on a pair of WCHA netminders who are experiencing opposite fortunes as their season winds down.

Photo: After notching 37 tallies a season ago, Matt Fraser is again leading the Texas Stars in the goal-scoring department in 2012-13. (courtesy of John Rivera/Icon SMI)

Another season, another bench boss in Cedar Park, Texas, where the Dallas Stars top minor league affiliate hones its skills and patiently waits. On their third coach in as many seasons, some of the more seasoned Stars have seen a number of different looks, schemes, and systems while a talented group of rookies is learning the professional game for the first time. Past the quarter pole, the Stars seem more than competent. They stand second in the division and fifth in the tight Western Conference.

Photo: The off-season acquisition of center prospect Cody Eakin, pictured here with the Washington Capitals, strengthened the the Dallas Stars' organizational depth down the middle. (courtesy of Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI)

After a series of very promising drafts, the Dallas Stars prospect pipeline is glowing radiantly as hockey seasons across the Northern Hemisphere begin to get their respective sea legs before the ponds freeze over this winter. Still lacking a stable full of blue-chip stallions, the club from Dallas can trot out an impressive lineup of high quality players at any position.

Photo: Acquired from Sarnia during the 2011-12 season, Brett Ritchie is expected to be a key cog in the IceDogs' offense in 2012-13. (courtesy of Terry Wilson / OHL Images)

With terrific drafting and progressing development, the Dallas Stars have quietly amassed one of the finest prospect pools in the National Hockey League. While it might be “standing room only” to start out in the minor leagues and some European pro leagues, the Stars will ultimately prevail with a stable full of exciting prospects who will garner heavy focus throughout the season.